Exposed to asbestos at work
A mesothelioma sufferer has received £115,000 compensation decades after he was exposed to asbestos at work.
Kenneth Abrey, 71, from Hampton in Middlesex was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the lung lining, in January 2007.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and there is no cure for the disease. Sufferers often die within months of diagnosis.
Mr Abrey, who is married with five children and 11 grandchildren, was exposed to asbestos while working for Wiggins Building Supplies Ltd, Middlesex.
Driver of a skip wagon exposed to asbestos
He was the driver of a skip wagon on a job refurbishing a court house in central London.
He worked for the company from 1973 to 1974 before becoming an HGV lorry driver delivering goods across Europe.
Following his diagnosis Mr Abrey contacted asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors for advice. Thompsons pursued a claim for compensation against Wiggins Building Supplies and successfully concluded the case in an out of court settlement.
Mr Abrey said: “My doctors told me I had just six months to live. That was two and a half years ago, but I know this disease is going to kill me in the end. It’s just a matter of when.
“I decided to pursue a compensation claim because my employers knew they were putting us in danger but they did nothing to protect us.”
Sean Cook from Thompsons Solicitors added: “We are pleased we have been able to settle Mr Abrey’s claim within his lifetime. He was unwittingly exposed to asbestos while trying to earn a living and had no idea of the danger. It is only right he is compensated by his former employer.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.